“I think that’s very strange”: Bjorn Borg questions Jannik Sinner’s double doping test

Former world No. 1 Bjorn Borg addressed the Jannik Sinner doping controversy, saying he was surprised to learn of the Italian's positive test in 2024. Sinner had a remarkable rise on the tour from late 2023, taking over the top spot in June 2024 after winning his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

Sinner had a near-perfect 2024, with a 73-6 record (92.41%), putting him in the conversation for one of the best seasons by a player in the Open Era. However, everything was overshadowed when news broke about the doping case he was involved in, despite the Italian always defending his innocence.

In 2024, Sinner won eight titles, including two Grand Slams, three Masters 1000s, and the ATP Finals, in addition to the Davis Cup with Italy. He had a total of 18 wins against top 10 players and earned over $19 million in prize money by the end of the season.

For many, including 11-time Grand Slam champion Bjorn Borg, the news of Sinner's doping case came as a surprise. In a recent conversation with BBC Breakfast, Borg shared his reactions. "I think I was very surprised when I read that. I think it happened twice. I mean if it happened one time, but it happened twice, I think. So, I think that’s very strange. What happened, I don’t really know. I hope really nothing serious happened."

The former world No. 1 added, "When we played, my generation, I know for a fact, I know some players, they were using things they were not supposed to use. I don’t want to get into names, it’s not important. But today, I think it’s good, they test themselves, and sometimes I understand players have to test themselves so many times. I think it’s good, it’s important to keep tennis a clean sport."

In August 2024, the ITIA announced that Sinner had failed anti-doping tests, testing positive twice for clostebol during Indian Wells (March 2024). The Italian was provisionally suspended, but after he appealed the decision, the sanction was quickly lifted, and Sinner was back on the courts.

Sinner's explanation was that he was accidentally contaminated by his physiotherapist, who used an over-the-counter medication containing clostebol to treat a cut on his hand. The physiotherapist massaged Sinner without adequate gloves, causing transdermal contamination. An independent tribunal determined that Sinner had "no negligence or fault," and the sanction was for him to lose the points and prize money he earned at that tournament.

In late September, WADA announced that it would appeal Sinner's case, seeking a suspension of up to two years for the player, who was then world No. 1. While Sinner always defended his innocence, the appeal was expected to go to trial in February of this year. However, WADA and the player's lawyers reached an agreement, with Sinner accepting a three-month suspension to close the case. The Italian initially resisted but decided to accept the three-month suspension. From February to May, he missed four Masters 1000s but did not miss the chance to play in any Grand Slams, returning a few weeks before the start of Roland Garros.

Since returning to the courts, Sinner seems to have put the controversy behind him, maintaining his impeccable 2024 level. In fact, Sinner has a 30-5 record since his return, won the Wimbledon title, and reached four other finals, losing in all of them to Carlos Alcaraz (Italian Open, Cincinnati Open, Roland Garros, and US Open).